Decide who to invite
Many clubs work best with somewhere around six to twelve members. Fewer than five and one or two absences can leave you without a meeting. More than about twelve and quieter people struggle to get a word in. Expect a few people to drop out in the first months, so invite a couple more than you need.
Think about what kind of club you want. Friends who already know each other will talk easily but may drift off topic. A club of neighbors, coworkers or strangers from a library notice board brings more varied views. Both work; it helps to agree at the start whether the evening is mostly about the book or mostly social.
Set a schedule
- Monthly meetings suit most adults. Four to six weeks gives people time to finish a full-length novel.
- Pick a fixed pattern, such as the second Tuesday of each month, so people can plan around it.
- Keep meetings to about 90 minutes to two hours, with a clear start time.
- Set the next date and the next book before everyone leaves.
Choose how books get picked
| Method | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation | Each member picks the book in turn | Variety and shared ownership |
| Shortlist vote | Members suggest titles, then vote on three or four | Clubs with mixed tastes |
| Theme for the year | Books follow a theme, such as classics or one country | Clubs that like a project |
| Host chooses | Whoever hosts picks the book | Small clubs that meet in homes |
Check that the book is easy to get. Library availability matters, especially for newer titles with long hold lists. Public-domain classics solve this, since free ebook editions exist for every one of them; see classics that work for book clubs.
Some public libraries lend book club kits: a set of copies of one title, sometimes with discussion questions. Ask at your library desk, and allow several weeks for popular kits.
Pick a place
Homes are the most common choice. Rotating hosts shares the work, and a simple rule such as "drinks and one snack, nothing more" keeps hosting from turning into a competition. Other options include a library meeting room (often free to book, depending on the library), a quiet café during off-peak hours, or a video call.
Online and hybrid clubs
Online clubs let friends in different cities read together. Keep the group smaller, around four to eight people, because video calls make it hard for many people to talk. Ask people to raise a hand or use the chat to join in, and have one person keep an eye on who has not spoken yet.
The first meeting
- Introduce everyone and ask each person to name a book they loved and one they abandoned.
- Agree on the basics: schedule, place, how books are chosen, and whether people should come if they haven't finished.
- Pick the first book together, preferably something of moderate length.
- Decide who leads the first discussion. The discussion guide has questions that work for almost any book.
Keeping the club going
Clubs fade when meetings get cancelled, the books get too long, or the same person always does the work. Share hosting and leading, alternate long and short books, and keep the date fixed even when a few people can't come. A short message a week before each meeting reminds people of the date and the book.
Should people come if they haven't finished the book?
Most clubs say yes, so people keep coming. Agree in advance whether endings are open for discussion, so late readers know what to expect.